My Dearest Mr. President, Nigeria’s Future Lies in Our Own Hands -By Abdullahi Abubakar Ladan

I write this open letter to you today with a deep sense of responsibility and a profound concern for the security and future of our great nation. Recent global events, including the shifting geopolitical alliances and rising tensions, particularly in the Middle East, have proven a harsh truth that in this new era, nations are on their own, and our national security must be our top priority. As the Giant of Africa, it is time we act like one.

Sir, our current security partnerships, while helpful, have limitations. Our agreements with countries like the United States, for instance, are primarily focused on training, logistics, and arms sales. While they have some of the world’s best intelligence capabilities, capable of monitoring even our own country at their discretion, we remain a nation still struggling with insecurity from bandits, insurgents, and various non-state actors. The world just watched as Saudi Arabia, long a recipient of American security guarantees, made a thoughtful and powerful move to align with nuclear-armed Pakistan by signing a general defense pact. This pact, by its very nature, proves a strategic giant step towards a new form of protection, one that, by default, includes Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities. This is a clear lesson on the importance of self-reliance and the limitations of being just a partner.

Furthermore, the ongoing tragedy in Palestine serves as a stark reminder that membership in the United Nations and other international bodies did not save them from a campaign of genocide. This should be a clear lesson for us all: global policies and laws are often crafted to favor the interests of the powerful. The inability of any African country to secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council is the perfect closer lesson to learn that we need a superpower weapon to take our rightful place at the table, not just a vote.

It is for this reason that I urge you to consider a radical shift in our defense policy. Sir, must move beyond being mere recipients of military aid and become a strategic partner in a true mutual defense pact. Our future security lies in formalizing a mutual defense agreement with key regional neighbors like Niger and Chad to consolidate our efforts against terrorism, as well as with a global superpower like China.

Excellency Sir, partnership with China, in particular, should go beyond military hardware production and technology transfer. The agreements we have signed, while progressive, have primarily benefited them through access to our vast markets and resources. It is time for a more equitable arrangement. We should pursue a time-bound pact that includes real-time intelligence sharing, the production of dedicated satellites for military intelligence, and, most critically, the assurance of nuclear power protection. Nigeria cannot afford to be vulnerable in a world where the possession of nuclear power is increasingly becoming the ultimate deterrent. A nation that cannot defend itself, cannot claim sovereignty. Our security is not only for us; it is for China, too, as a stable Nigeria protects their significant investments and revenue streams here. If we fall, their interests will be hit hard and may never recover.

Respected Sir, , we must address the glaring gap in our current intelligence infrastructure. I recommend that we should acquire a high-resolution, military-grade satellite with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) as the NigComSat-1R, NigeriaSat-X, and NigeriaSat-2 are not sufficient for security purposes due to their low-resolution imagery. A military-grade satellite would provide the crucial geospatial intelligence needed to enhance the military’s operational capabilities. Additionally, this project must be 100% managed by a Nigerian team. Our national security and the privacy of our intelligence must not be left to the whims of foreign partners, no matter how friendly. We must control the technology that controls our safety.

Finally, Mr. President Sir, the current global financial volatility and rising tensions in the Middle East make our over-reliance on the US dollar a major vulnerability. I respectfully urge you to revisit the currency swap deal with China, strengthening and expanding it to reduce our reliance on the dollar. This is a crucial step towards financial and economic sovereignty, mirroring the kind of self-reliance we must also build in our security.

Sir, as a concern citizen who is disturbed by the current global tension, this is my honest call for a strategic re-evaluation of our place in the world because at 30 now, i could leave another 40 years or more and if this measures are not taken, i would suffer the consequences. As the late General Sani Abacha once said, “No nation can grow and develop without its own vision, its own original ideas, its will and determination to achieve true independence and sovereignty.” It is time we take our rightful place not just as the Giant of Africa, but as a major player on the world stage, capable of protecting our people and our interests.

Abdullahi Abubakar Ladan
Advocate for Good Governance
19th September, 2025
abbahladan1@gmail.com